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Toronto School Awaits Test Results On Student Who May Have H1N1 Flu Monday May 4, 2009 CityNews.ca Staff

Toronto school officials should find out soon whether a student has the H1N1 flu virus.

CityNews1may2009

Dear parents, guardians and residents,

For your information, I'm providing you with a letter from Toronto Public Health on proactive ways we can prevent, and respond to, health concerns regarding the "swine flu" pandemic. I am pressing the Toronto District School Board to send home a letter with information on a how to prevent the spread of viruses and a TDSB emergency response action plan. The fear of the unknown is our first challenge to overcome.

To be clear,  there have been no cases of swine flu reported in Toronto public schools and all of our schools are open and safe. However, it is important that parents, students and staff are informed and that we all take responsible and sensible precautionary measures.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. The most up-to-date information is provided through the contact numbers/websites provided for you in the letter below.

 

TORONTO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD PANDEMIC RESPONSE PLAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS1.  Introduction

May 3rd, 2007 Question by JOSH MATLOW to ALLISON STUART, (Director of the Emergency Management Unit, Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC)

Q - JOSH MATLOW: • If there is an epidemic, and we need a centralized support centre, is there a plan to get the word out to let people know where they need to go for support?  Does Ontario have a widespread plan for emergencies?  For example, are there certain schools that are designated as go‐to points?   ALLISON STUART: • We have a plan for pandemics, which is still relevant.  In our consultation with the local level, we know, for instance, where we would have flu centres.  We have a template for print and radio announcements, where one fills in the blanks with information about the “event du jour”.  We need a set of local plans though. Q – JOSH MATLOW: • Are there locally chosen hubs? ALLISON STUART: • No, there are no locally chosen hubs because we don’t always want people to gather together.  Decision‐makers at the local level, they may choose to do that, but we haven’t done it at the provincial level. 

Monday, April 27, 2009

Gerry Connolly

Director of Education

Toronto District School Board

 

Dear Director Connolly, Please offer an immediate update to trustees on what plan (s) the TDSB has in place to respond to an outbreak/ pandemic of influenza or other contagious viruses in the general community. Are there steps we should be taking now before the recent outbreak of Swine Flu arrives in Ontario? In addition, what exactly is the TDSB’s response if a staff member, student or parent is found with such a virus and how would our board work in conjunction with other levels of government on issues such as healthcare, emergency response, and the potential closure or use of our facilities? Sincerely, Josh Josh Matlow Trustee for St. Paul’s Toronto District School Board www.joshmatlow.ca